Submitted file photo AJ Reyes of GEI Consultants tours the lower South Basin of Chautauqua Lake in 2025.

The county’s lake manager will be among those who speak during the county’s annual Chautauqua Lake Symposium on March 21.

The symposium is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron. A meet-and-greet begins at 8:30 a.m. The forum brings together scientists, lake managers, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss work on Chautauqua Lake. This year’s symposium will highlight ongoing collaboration and lake management strategies, led in part by AJ Reyes, Chautauqua Lake manager with GEI Consultants.

“One of our biggest priorities has been strengthening collaboration around Chautauqua Lake,” said County Executive PJ Wendel. “I’m excited to have a dedicated lake manager helping bring partners together, align data and strategies, and keep this work moving forward in a meaningful way. The symposium continues to be an important space for learning, listening, and working together.”

Reyes is a certified lake manager who works on lakes across New York and in other states. One of GEI’s main jobs has been to engage local stakeholders and learn the ropes of what’s going on with the lake, both in terms of the environment and lake users. They have met with CLA about the lake’s harvesting program, CLP about its herbicide treatments, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy about their invasive species and watershed work, and the state DEC about permitting and regulation. They have also spent time on the water to see what the lake’s plants and algae look like, and to view firsthand Chautauqua Lake’s features and management in action. They have used this information to advise the Chautauqua Watershed and Management Alliance board last year to help funding and management planning for 2026.

In addition to Reyes, speakers include officials from the Jefferson Project., Dr. Rob Richardson of North Carolina State University and officials from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

The symposium is free and open to the public. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed on Chautauqua County’s YouTube channel, with a recording available following the conclusion of the program: www.youtube.com/@ChautauquaCounty